Lock switch and armored wire unit



l, 1936. A. w. PHELPs LOCK SWITCH AND ARMORED WIRE UNIT Filed March 2, 1934 Patented Dec. l, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Alva W. Phelps, Anderson, Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application March 2, 1934, Serial No. 713,627

Claims.

This invention relates to lock-switch and armored wire units adapted to be used on automotive vehicles for the purpose of controlling the ignition circuit and of protecting a portion thereof. One form of such units is shown in Barnes Patent No. 1,375,549 granted April 19, 1921, which shows an ignition lock switch and armored wire unit adapted to be attached to an ignition coil and to protect the connection between a terminal of the coil with the wire leading to the ignition switch.

it is an object of the present invention to simplify and thus reduce the cost of manufacture or lock-switch and armored cable units of this type. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this object is accomplished by providing four sub-assemblies, namely: (l) a switch case member and wire armor assembly, (2) a stationary contact support and wire sub-assembly, (3) a movable Contact and contact support sub-assembly and (4) a switch case member and lock sub-assembly. The switch case members, when assembled, house the stationary contact support and movable contact support and cause the movable contacts of the switch to be urged toward the stationary contacts and eiect the connection between the lock cylinder or other movable key controlled device with the movable contact carrier.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment or" the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a lock switch embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the stationary contact supporting block, the switch case being shown in cross-section.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in longitudinal section of the switch and armored cable shown in Fig. l, a section of the switch being taken on the line 3-3.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the switch case cover plate looking in the `direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the movable contact and contact carrier.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the stationary contact carrier and switch case in disassembled relation.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 5 and 9 are drawn to a larger scale than Figs. 1 to 4.

The switch case member and wire armor subassembly comprise a cup-shaped switch case to the bottom wall of which is secured a tubular member 2| to which is secured a exible cable armor of hard steel 22 attached to a tubular bushing 23 which is attached to a cover member 24 for a terminal housing which is provided at one end of a housing of an ignition coil (not shown), the circuit of which is controlled by the switch of the present invention. The particular manner in which the cover is attached to the ignition coil housing is described and claimed in the co-pending application of L. O. Parker Serial No. 665,948, filed April 13, 1933.

The sub-assembly of conductor and stationary contact support comprises a nonconducting block 3E) of molded insulating material in which are embodied a plurality of stationary switch contacts 3l, 32, 33 and 34. The contact 3l which is shown more particularly in Fig. 3 has a rivet portion, 35 by which a clip 36 attached to a wire 31 is fastened to the contact 3|. After the wire 3l is connected with the contact 3| in the manner described this sub-assembly is assembled with the switch case and wire armor assembly, the wire being passed through the armor 22. As shown in the copending application of L. O. Parker, the wire 3l is attached to a terminal or connecting wire of the ignition coil. The contacts 32, 33 and 34 are each provided by an end face of a' metallic insert such as 38 shown in Fig. 3. The inserts 38 extend through and beyond the end wall of the case 2D and, where they extend through the case wall, they are encased by nonconducting projections 39 integral with the block 3U. The block 3U is provided with a plurality of tapered lugs 40 which extend through holes in the end wall of the case.

The movable contact and contact carrier subassembly comprises a nonconducting disc 50 carrying at its center a metallic insert 5I upon which a contact plate 52 is slidably mounted and is retained by the riveted-over head 53 of the insert 5l. A spring 5l located between the disc 50 and the plate 52 urges the plate toward the contact block 30. The plate 52 provides contact projections 53 and 54 adapted to engage the stationnger 55 adapted to bear against a contact bar 56 providing contacts 6| and 62 adapted to engage stationary contacts 3| and 32 respectively. 'I'he bar 56 is retained by lingers 58 and 66 provided by plate 52. The contact plate 52 and contact bar 56 are received by a recess 59 of such shape as to permit lateral movement of the parts 52 and 56 but to prevent rotary movement of the part 52 or endwise movement of the part 56. It will be noted that the plate 52 provides contacts 53 and 54 which are adapted to bear respectively upon the contacts 33 and 34 and with a finger 55 which bears upon bar 56 causing the two contacts 6| and 62 of the bar to engage the contacts 3| and 32 of the block 36. By reason of this construction it is possible to secure satisfactory contact pressure between all four of the movable contacts and all four of the stationary contacts by the use of a single spring 51. The spring 51 urges the plate 52 toward the right causing it to be engaged at three points, namely, by the points of contact of the contacts 53 and 54 with contacts 33 and 34 respectively, and at the point of contact between the nger 55 and the bar 56. Since the bar 56 is free to tilt about the finger 55 it ls clear that the contacts 6| and 62 of the bar 56 will be caused to bear with satisfactory pressure upon the stationary contacts 3| and 32 respectively. In this Way satisfactory contacts are made between all four pairs of stationary and movable contacts by the use of a single spring bearing upon a center portion of the contact plate. Such a condition might not exist if all four contacts were provided by a single plate, since three of the contacts might bear with satisfactory contact pressure upon stationary contacts while the other one might be out of engagement with its stationary contact.

The conta-ct block 56 is provided with an arcuate groove 65, the end surfaces of which cooperate with a lug 66 provided by the case 26 in order to provide stops which limit turning movement of the block 56 to predetermined extent.

The switch case member and lock sub-assembly comprises a switch case cover member or plate 16 having notches 1| adapted to receive tangs 12 provided by the case 26, said tangs being bent over, as shown at 13 in Fig. 3, in order to retain the cover upon the case. The plate 16 is permanently attached to a lock barrel 14 within which a key operated cylinder 15 is located. The cylinder 15 carries a lug 16 (see Fig. 5) adapted to be received by recess 11 (see Fig. 9) provided by the contact disc 56 thereby providing a driving connection between the cylinder 15 and the block 56. On its inside surface the cover surface is provided with a plurality of equally spaced, pherical bosses 18 which are received by similarly spaced recesses 19 provide by the disc 56.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the plate 16 has seven equally spaced bosses 18 cooperating with seven equally spaced recesses 19. The spacing between. contacts 33 and 34 is oneseventh of a circle; and the spacing between contacts 34 and 3|, between 3| and 32, and between 32 and 33 is two-sevenths of a circle. The contacts 53, 54, 6| and 62 are spaced in a similar manner. When the contact carrier 56 is so located that the lug 66 of the case 26 engages the end surface 65a of notch 65 then contacts 53, 54, 6| and 62 will be in engagement with contacts 33, 34, 3| and 32 respectively. When the switch is in this position a battery or other current source connected with the contact 32 will supply current to an ignition coil, which is connected by wire 31 with contact 3 and to other electrical accessories connected with the contacts 33, and 34. These accessories may be, for example, an electrical gasoline gauge connected with the contact 34 and a starter controlling device connected with the contact 33. The contact disc is yieldingly maintained in this position due to the fact that the spring 51 yieldingly urges the disc 56 toward the case cover 16 and the bosses 18 are received by the recesses 19.

When the lock cylinder is turned in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l and Fig. 7, the disc 56 will be cammed toward the right against the action of the spring 51. After turning the disc one-seventh of a revolution in this dlrection the bosses 18 will again line up with the recesses 19 and the disc 56 will be urged against the cover 10 by the spring 51 so as to yieldingly retain-the disc 56 in this position. In the latter position of the disc 56 no switch contact will be in engagement with the battery contact 32. In off position of the switch, the lock cylinder wculd be so located as to permit withdrawal of the key.

By turning the lock still further in clockwise direction until surface 65h of notch 65 of disc 56 has engaged the lug 66 of case 26, the disc 56 will have been turned two-sevenths of a revolution from its first position or one-seventh of a revolution from off position. In this position of the switch contact disc 56, the contacts 3| and 34 only will be connected with the battery contact 32. Hence, current will be supplied from the battery to the ignition coil and to the gasoline gauge. The rst on position of the switch may be considered the starting position at which time it is desirable to read the gasoline gauge and also to operate the starter. The other on position may be considered the running position since when driving the car the operation of the starting device is generally not necessary. However contact 33 could be connected to the gasoline gauge and the contact 34 to the starter so the starter would be available in the running on position of the switch. The order of assembling together the four sub-assemblies is assembling the switch case and wire armor subassembly with the wire and stationary contact and terminal block sub-assembly. Then the movable contact sub-assembly is placed on the switch case, and then the lock and cover subassembly is attached to the switch case. The attaching of the cover maintains a movable contact in engagement with the stationary contact block. The lock `14 is made so that it can be readily adapted to an instrument board, the key being accessible at the front of, and the switch being located at the rear of the board. The armor cable extends through the dash board of the automobile and under the hood where it is attached to the ignition coil housing which may be mounted on the engine or generator driven thereby.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

1. In a switch and armored wire assembly, the combination comprising, a switch case member having a wire armor attached thereto, a Stationary contact support and terminal block 10- cated adjacent said switch case member, said block having a nonconducting projection embracing a terminal and passing through a. hole in the switch case member, a Wire attached to 75V a terminal of the block and located within said wire armor, a movable contact and Contact support adjacent the terminal block, a second switch case member adapted to be joined to the first switch case member and toI cooperate therewith to house the terminal block and movable contact support, and a controller carried by the second switch case member and operatively connected with the movable contact support.

2. In a switch, the combination of two metallic switch case members providing a cylindrical wall and two end walls, a stationary contact support and terminal block located adjacent and within one end wall, said block having a non-conducting projection embracing a terminal and passing through a hole in the adjacent case end wall for insulating the terminal from the end wall, a movable contact actuator located adjacent the other end wall, a movable contact located between said block and actuator and adapted to engage a stationary contact on the stationary contact support, means drivingly connecting the actuator and movable contact, and a spring located between the actuator and movable contact and adapted to urge the block toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case, and to urge the actuator toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case.

3. In a switch, the combination of two switch case members providing a cylindrical wall and two end walls, a stationary contact support and terminal block located adjacent one end wall and disposed between the two end walls, a movable contact actuator located adjacent the other end wall, a movable contact located between said block and actuator and adapted to engage a stationary contact on the stationary contact support, means drivingly connecting the actuator and movable contact, cooperating detent provisions provided by the actuator and adjacent end wall of the switch case, and a spring located between the actuator and movable contact and adapted to urge the block toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case, and to urge the actuatorY toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case and into engagement with the end wall detents.

4. In a switch, the combination of two switch case members providing a cylindrical wall and two end walls, a stationary contact support and terminal block disposed to rest against one end wall, a movable contact actuator located adjacent the other end wall, a movable contact located between said block and actuator and adapted to engage a stationary contact on the stationary contact support, means drivingly connecting the actuator and movable contact, cooperating intertting provisions provided by the terminal block and its adjacent end wall of the switch case including a projection of the block passing through a hole in the case end walls for locating the block with respect to the end wall, and a spring located between the actuator and movable contact and adapted to urge the block toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case, and to urge the actuator toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case.

5. In a switch, the combination of two switch case members providing a cylindrical wall and two end walls, a stationary contact support and terminal block engaging the inside surface of one end wall, a movable Contact actuator located adjacent the other end wall, a movable contact located between said block and actuator and adapted to engage a stationary contact on the stationary contact support, means drivingly connecting the actuator and movable contact, cooperating detent provisions provided by the actuator and adjacent end wall of the switch case, cooperating interiittng provisions provided by the terminal block and its adjacent end wall of the switch case, and a spring located between the actuator and movable contact and adapted to urge the block toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case, and to urge the actuator toward its adjacent end wall of the switch case.

6. In a switch, a movable contact unit comprising an actuator block, a contact plate drivingly connected with the actuator block, and having not exceeding three, spaced pressure transmitting pads certain of which may serve as contacts, a contact supporting bar engaged by one of the pads and operatively connected with the actuator block, and a spring urging the contact plate away from the actuator.

'7. In a switch, a. movable contact unit comprising an actuator block having a recess for receiving a contact plate and a contact bar whereby said parts are operatively connected with the block, and a spring for urging the contact plate away from the block, said plate having not exceeding three pressure pads certain of which may serve as contacts, said bar having a plurality of contact pads and arranged to be engaged between its contact pads by one of the pressure pads of the contact plates.

8. In a switch, a movable contact unit comprising a rotatable actuator block carrying, axially thereof, a retainer stud, a contact plate having a hole receiving the free end of the stud, said stud being riveted-over tc limit the separation of the plate from the block, a helical spring surrounding said stud and located between the plate and block, said plate having not exceeding three pressure pads spaced substantially from f each other and from the stud, certain of these pads serving as contacts, a contact bar having Contact pads adjacent its ends and engageable intermediate its ends by a pressure pad of the movable Contact plate, and means whereby the actuator block may turn the plate and bar.

9. In a switch, a movable contact unit comprising an actuator block having a non-rounded recess in one face thereof, a stud extending from the bottom of the recess, and a conductive assembly providing a plurality of pairs of integrally connected contact pads secured over the free end of the stud and maintained within the recess to be driven by the block, and spring means disposed in the recess and urging the conductive assembly away from the bottom of the recess.

l0. In a switch, a movable contact unit comprising an actuator block having a non-rounded recess in one face thereof, a conductive assembly of non-rounded contour loosely fitting within the recess to be driven by the block, a stu-d secured in the block and operating to keep the conductive assembly within the recess, and a spring encircling the stud and tending to separate the block and conductive assembly.

l1. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which the conductive assembly comprises a plate provided with a pair of spaced contact pads, and having a triad of acutely diverging fingers, and a contact bar providing a pair of spaced contact pads being held between the diverging ngers so as to follo-w generally the movements of said plate.

l2. In a switch, a movable contact unit comprising an actuator block having a polygonal shaped recess in one facefthereof, a. contact plate assembly of polygonalv contour. loosely fitting within the recess, and adapted to be .drivenby the block, and means yieldably securing the plate assembly Within the recess.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12, in which the contact plate assembly comprisesl in combination, a main contact plate having a pair o1 contact pads, each arranged at adjacent an gles of the plate, said plate also having a plurality of diverging ngers linearly spaced along a side of the plate not adjacent to either of the contact supporting angles, andy a contact Abar having a pair of contact pads, andsecuredbetween the diverging fingers of the plate intermediate the contact pads of the said bar.

14. In a switch the combination comprising, a switch case member, a stationary contact support and terminal block located adjacent said switch case member, said block having a. nonconducting projection embracing a terminal and passing through a hole in the switch case member, a movable contact and contact support adjacent the terminal block, a second switch case memberadapted .to bejoined to the rst switch case member. and to cooperate therewith to house thelterminal block and movable contact support, anda controller carried by the second switch casefmember and operatively connected with the movable contact support.

15. A switch unitcomprising in combination, a cup-shaped switch case member, a stationary contact support and terminal block located adjacent the end wall of the cup-shaped member,v projections on the block passing through holes -in the end of the case member, a movable contact and a contact support adjacent the terminal block, a cover member for the` cup-shaped member adapted to be joined thereto and to cooperate therewith to house the terminal block and movable contact support, a spring disposed between the contact and its support urging the blockprojections into the case holes, and a controllerccarriedby the cover member and operativelyy connected With the movable contact support.

ALVA W. PHELPS. 

